In the Blue Wave November 2018 election, women were among the most prominent Democratic victors in House elections. In particular, there were three young women who fired the imagination of the American electorate in much the same way that Barack Obama did in his first 2008 presidential campaign. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, who unseated a New York City machine politician who’d served for two decades in Congress; Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American elected to Congress; and Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American and the second Muslim-American woman elected to Congress.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, scourge of the Lobby

Tlaib and Omar, in particular, brought an entirely revolutionary approach to the issue of Israel-Palestine. They both reject a two-state solution. They reject U.S military aid to Israel. The support BDS. And they reject the power of the Israel Lobby. Never before have members of Congress taken as many, or as bold positions directly contradicting the Lobby.

Those of us who observe the Lobby and how it exercises power knew the other shoe had to drop. The only question was when and how. That happened when House GOP leader, Kevin McCarthy made the empty threat to punish both Tlaib and Omar for their alleged anti-Semitism. He equated their views on Israel with the abhorrent statements of GOP Rep. Steven King, who’d just been stripped of all his committee assignments for espousing white supremacist views.

In response to a tweet from Glenn Greenwald expressing wonderment at the level of fealty American politicians like McCarthy show to Israel, Omar quote the lyrics of a P. Diddy rap song: “It’s all about the benjamins, baby.” An editor at the Jewish Daily Forward, a liberal pro-Israel media outlet, then asked her who she “thought was paying American politicians to be pro-Israel.” Omar replied: “AIPAC!”

Before delving into the uproar that followed, it’s important to parse the social media exchange thus far. When a Republican leader attempted to minimize the racism in his own ranks by labeling Muslim-American supporters of Palestinian House members as themselves racist, what happened? The world, including Jews (who are overwhelmingly vote Democratic) and the Democratic Party took the bait, with a vengeance.

Now, let’s examine the actual exchange among Omar, Greenwald and the Forward. In responding to Greenwald’s observation about the power of Israel and the Lobby in Congress, the Congresswoman made a self-evident statement that money is the root of its power. This is self-evident going all the way back to California’s legendary Democratic leader, Jesse Unruh, who memorably said that “money was the mother’s milk of politics.”

By latching on to the specific reference to “benjamins” and equating this to anti-Semitism, her critics have completely misunderstood this classic anti-Semitic meme. The claim that Jews own the banks, the media, etc. And that they seek to control them in a world-wide conspiracy for the benefit of Jews is anti-Semitic. But that’s not at all what Omar said or meant.

If you examine the lyrics of the original song, P. Diddy boasts about his obsession with luxury, with fast cars, loose women, diamonds, etc. The reference to “benjamins” has nothing to do with Jews. Benjamins are a means to an end. They fuel his gangsta lifestyle.

There is yet another fundamental error involved in these attacks on Omar. The Israel Lobby along with Israel’s leaders deliberately conflate Israel with Jews. In doing so, they can conveniently smear critics of Israel by saying they’re anti-Semitic. This is a tactic used repeatedly, but with minimal success by the UK Israel Lobby against Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

Jews are not the same as Israel. In fact, there are over 1-million non-Jewish citizens of Israel. Further, there are many non-Jews such as Christian evangelicals and many of Europe’s far right leaders, who are among the most fervent defenders of Israel. So claiming that criticism of Israel is the same as criticism of Jews is flat-out wrong.

There is absolutely no truth to the claim that “benjamins” is an anti-Semitic phrase. In fact, everything Omar wrote was directly solely at Israel and its domestic lobby. Critics of the latter have every right to note the corrupting influence of the billions spent by the Lobby’s pro-Israel donors electing candidates they favor to office.

The Jewish Forward played a shameful role inciting this mess. After the editor read about “benjamins” and “Aipac” she decided she had an anti-Semitic scoop on her hands. She wrote an op ed denouncing the “new anti-Semitism” on the left (does anyone know how old the “new” anti-Semitism is?). Then, once the entire episode went viral and the Forward heard that Aipac was fundraising off it, the Forward followed suit. Unfortunately, the managing editor’s letter confused Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, saying the former was from Michigan. She then released a “corrected” version. But how can you correct the hate and ignorance that was at the base of this appeal?

The Forward was once a powerful Jewish media outlet read by hundreds of thousands of Jews every day. It boasted its own building towering over the lower East Side. On the facade were bas reliefs of four great heroes of world socialism, among them Karl Marx and Frederich Engels. More recently, the media outlet has fallen on hard times. It was forced to sell the inconic building which was turned into luxury condos. Marx and Engels are no more, alas. But wherever they are, they’re shedding tears over the demise of a once great progressive Jewish newspaper.

The only error Omar introduced into the discussion was blaming Aipac directly for the overwhelming impact of money in electing pro-Israel candidates. Actually, Aipac is not a PAC. It does not directly raise funds to support candidates, though it does spend millions on legislative lobbying for pro-Israel bills. In fact, it very cleverly parcels this out to scores, if not hundreds of pro-Israel PACs and 527s, which raise the funds and distribute them to the candidates or their affiliates. In this way, it insulates itself from the sort of claim that Omar made. But to claim that Aipac plays no role in this money-game is flat-out false. In fact, hundreds of millions of dollars are offered in every presidential election cycle by pro-Israel donors on behalf of pro-Israel candidates.

To claim, as some of its supporters have, that Aipac is merely a non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization as some are now claiming is disingenuous in the extreme.

Though the language of her apology may be reasonable, it will not secure the result she seeks. She will never quiet the Lobby. She will never satisfy Israel or its domestic defenders. They will be waiting for the next time she says anything that can remotely be construed as hostile to Israel or Jews. Progressive politicians (like Bernie Sanders) make a mistake when they try to equivocate regarding Israel. You can’t satisfy the Lobby with half-measures. They demand full allegiance to their agenda. If you refuse, you are the enemy.

There is another cultural-racial element to this episode which is disturbing and little remarked upon. White Americans (excluding young people) do not listen to or understand Black culture or music. They view rap as a hostile, transgressive cultural expression. Any African-American who attempts to bring this experience into mainstream discourse is treated with hostility.

I have news for the Democratic Party: you want American young people (Black and white) to vote for your presidential candidate in 2020? You want to defeat Donald Trump? If so, you better bring immense enthusiasm and new ideas to the campaign. Thus, young people are a critical demographic both as voters and candidates. Democrats must learn to appreciate everything they bring to the table. That includes their ideas, their life-style, their expression, their music. Do not expect those who voted Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez and Omar into office to stand back while you attack them for being true to their roots.

Decide as a Party whether the white, male, billionaires of the Israel Lobby are more important than the young ethnic demographic which swept the Party back into control of the House. If you want their allegiance then you better stop dissing them and what they believe.

Finally, this entire incident is a self-inflicted wound on the Democratic Party. Instead of falling into this trap set by Rep. McCarthy, they should have supported Omar. They should have said that the Party has a diverse set of voices on Israel ranging from strongly pro-Israel to those who view the conflict through the prism of human rights. Criticism of Israel is entirely legitimate within the Party. If it is not, then you better figure out where you’re going to get the votes to replace those who brought Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Omar into Congress. Because they won’t remain with you if you cut the legs out from under their political idols.

Its all about reaching critical mass. After many false signals, I am hopeful this one will get traction. She came out swinging at the Abrams hearing, confirming she will not be silenced. The media is abuzz, her voice will not be drowned any time soon.

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February 14, 2019 2:42 AM

Potter

I agree completely. It is very disappointing that Omar apologized so. There is no end to how careful one must be about crossing the sensitive line to trigger cries of anti-Semitism. The correctness police missed Trump big time. Omar is young and like the other two representatives has to learn how to navigate verbally. They also must pick their battles. This battle is worthy, campaign finance and pressures from lobbying. Democrats should also articulate the differences for their audiences about support for Israel, criticism of the occupation of 52 years, and real anti-Semitism.Then take a principled stand on Israel.

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February 14, 2019 7:55 AM

Walter Ballin

Richard, I absolutely agree entirely with what you wrote and the Democrats must not allow the AIPAC and the Israel lobby to sabotage the party. What the Israel lobby does actually aids anti-semitism. They propagate the false stereotype that the Jews own and run everything in our country, being that they want to decide what our policies are regarding Israel-Palestine and the Middle East when they really don’t represent the majority of Jewish Americans.

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February 14, 2019 11:20 AM

SimoHurtta

It amusing how furious “Israelis” became when some none-Jew dares to say the fact, that Israel/Jews have plenty of “influence” which “some of them” do not hesitate to use. On the same time Israelis and their supporters have no limits with bragging and overestimating Israel’s (and Jews’) influence and skills. If a prime minister of a small country, which has very limited resources, says that the rich block of over halve billion people will shrivel and disappear if they do not support that aggressive little country, it would create plenty of amusement in Europe. When the one who says that is the crazy prime minister of Israel whole Europe is silent in fear that vocal anti-semitist/holocaust denial howling and smearing begins again.

“I think Europe has to decide if it wants to live and thrive or if it wants to shrivel and disappear. The truth is the truth — both about Europe’s security and Europe’s economic future. Both of these concerns mandate a different policy toward Israel. The European Union is the only association of countries in the world that conditions the relations with Israel, which produces technology in every area, on political conditions,”

So obviously Europe will disintegrate and shrivel without that unbelievable advanced Israeli technology and because it doesn’t approve what Zionists are doing in Israel.

That Israeli superior technology exists mostly in propaganda, not in patent and GDP statistics. Many small and medium size European countries produce more patent applications and approved patents per capita compared to what Israel manages to produce. China makes now in a year 1.3 million patent applications and some Chinese companies many times more than Israeli residents manage in a year to produce. Israel is not China, South Korea, Japan, USA or Germany.

See WIPO’s statistics in order to position Israel in this contest. In that year report the word Israel occurs two times, even Iran 4 times. If Israel would be shut totally out of trade and interaction with Europe it would have minimal effects to European economy, industry and living standards. For Israel it would be fatal and Israel would vanish and become again Palestine. Believing that Israel is vital for Europe or USA is a dangerous fallacy. Europe and USA are vital for Israel is a fact.

I called Illhan’s DC office to voice my support and to ask how to contribute to her campaign. It is very difficult to find our how to send her money.

She is the first Congress person to voice this fact, that Israel has hijacked American foreign policy vis a vis the Middle East and central Asia. Bernie Sanders is moving in that direction but still has a long way to go. I would hope she keeps up the the argument, but I think she should point out that it is both Israel and Saudi Arabia that are feeding money into our political system. The Saudis just do it in a little different way.

Thank you greatly for your truthful portrayal of what transpired. Now advise us what is to be done to counter unjust accusations of critical views and of course Israel’s abuse of nonJews.

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February 16, 2019 10:43 AM

Elisabeth

Simo Hurtta, even Haaretz publishes almost weekly about some other deadly disease Israeli scientists have found a cure for… It’s an obsession born from insecurity.

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February 17, 2019 5:14 AM

SimoHurtta

That world can not rotate without Israeli technology propaganda is a weapon and a rather good one, because that continous start up and innovation nation bragging gets astonishing much uncritical atention in western media. However when we watch closer the WIPO, US and European patent statistics Israel shrinks to its real size which is very far from what Israeli leaders want us to think about Israeli skills and resources. If Iran would be allowed to function normally, it would rather fast bypass Israel as the region’s real technological center.

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